For years, teachers have been turning to educational resources to spark their students’ interest in science. Designing a lesson around a current event or trending topic can be a great way to engage your students while also allowing you to teach them something new.
One such topic that has recently caught the attention of teachers is solar energy. With concerns over climate change growing and governments around the world pushing for renewable energy sources, more and more schools are looking into ways they can generate their own electricity using sustainable energy.
While solar energy has been around for centuries, it wasn’t until the 21st century that it became a common source of energy. Invented in the 19th century, solar power has been used mostly in space and in scientific research.
However, in the last few years, the cost of solar energy has decreased significantly. This, in turn, has made it easier for schools to implement solar energy projects. If you’re wondering whether or not to pursue a solar energy project in your school, here’s a closer look at the benefits and challenges of implementing a solar energy program.
Benefits
One of the primary reasons that more and more schools are turning to solar energy is because it’s a sustainable energy source. According to the World Bank, the world’s energy demand will increase by about 60% by 2040. With so many people moving to cities, the demand for energy will increase, putting a strain on the environment.
With solar energy, you won’t need to worry about the strain that frequent electricity outages put on the national grid. Storing energy in battery packs allows for greater accessibility and prevents the need to constantly draw power from the grid. Plus, you’ll be able to reduce your carbon footprint by eliminating the need for traditional electricity. All these benefits put solar energy on a level playing field with other common energy sources.
Challenges
While the advantages of solar energy are quite clear, the challenges are more difficult to spot. The biggest concern for schools that are looking into implementing a solar energy program relates to the cost. Installing solar panels isn’t inexpensive. In fact, it can run you about $500 per month, plus you’ll need to buy batteries to store the energy (more on that later).
In most cases, schools that are interested in pursuing a solar energy project will do so due to limited funding. When you’re limited by budget, the options for technology become more limited. For example, you can’t buy the most efficient solar panels available because of the budget. So, you’ll need to find alternatives such as refurbishing an existing solar array or installing a smaller one.
Another challenge that schools face is providing the proper training for teachers and students on how to correctly use solar energy technology. As with any new program or technology that your school decides to implement, you’ll need to assign teachers to train others in the proper use and maintenance of the equipment. In addition to training, you’ll need to make sure that your teachers are provided with the necessary materials to carry out their new roles effectively. Without these materials, there is no way that they can teach the program and no way that the program can function efficiently.
The Bottom Line
So, is it worth your time and money to pursue a solar energy project in your school? That all depends on the resources that you have available and how committed you are to reducing your school’s carbon footprint. If you’re looking for a low-cost and easy way to generate your own electricity, then solar energy is worth considering. It’s a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, and it will help to reduce your school’s carbon footprint. If these are important to you, then solar energy is a great option.
It’s also important to note that some states and cities have already adopted policies geared toward making solar energy more accessible to schools and other institutions. For example, in California, all schools can now purchase solar power systems and receive payments based on their solar energy production.
The main advantage of solar energy is that it is a sustainable energy source. Many people are moving toward more eco-friendly energy sources, and providing your students with an understanding of how sustainable energy sources work is an important part of the curriculum.